As the Washington Wizards prepare for the upcoming NBA Draft this week, they may be forced to face their future without its star guard. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, three-time All-Star Bradley Beal has “seriously” been mulling over his future with the Wizards in recent weeks.
“Beal has been seriously mulling his future in recent weeks, and at times has been very much on the fence about whether or not he wants to remain with the Wizards, sources tell The Athletic.”
Beal is expected to consider his options over the weekend. The latest report comes a day after Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported Beal is considering requesting a trade from the Wizards before the NBA Draft.
Rumors about Beal’s future has surfaced around this time every year. Yet, the St. Louis native has maintained his loyalty to the team that drafted him third overall in 2012. However, Beal’s contract situation may alter the forecast of the situation. The 28-year old has a player option for the 2022-23 season. Meanwhile as Beal has emerged as one of the league’s top scorer’s, the Wizards have not improved as a team.
After spending two straight non-playoff years as the lead guy with John Wall injured, the Wizards made an about-face to aid Beal. They traded Wall in December for 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. The addition of Westbrook only made Washington slightly better.
Washington finished 34-38 this season. They made the NBA playoffs as the eight-seed in the Eastern Conference. Which was disappointing despite Westbrook averaging a triple-double and Beal averaging 31.3 points per game.
Beal was named third-team All-NBA. Yet, Washington was eliminated in five games by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
If Beal is to request a trade, there will be sure to be a good amount of interested teams.
The stars of the Golden State Warriors reportedly have been pushing the front office to acquire a player of Beal’s caliber. He is also good friends with Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum. There is speculation that Tatum would push for his fellow St. Louis native to join him in Beantown.
